Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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THE BIG VENUES
Arie Crown Theater
Musicals and pop acts ar e the focus her e; a r enovation has
improved what w ere terrible acoustics (E lton John once interr upted a per formance to
complain about the sound), but this is still a massiv e, somewhat impersonal hall, and
cheaper seats might well be in nosebleed territory.
2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., in the McCormick
Place convention center at 23rd St. and Lake Shore Dr.
&
312/791-6190.
Bus: 3 or 4.
Auditorium Theatre
This beautiful theater is a certified national landmark. Built in
1889 by Louis S ullivan and D ankmar Adler, the grand hall hosts mostly musicals and
dance performances. Even if you don't catch a sho w here, stop by for a tour. The occa-
sional show will appeal to kids, fr om the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago's
The Nutcracker
to a
performance by indie r ockers Smashing Pumpkins.
50 E. C ongress Pkwy., btw. Michigan
and W abash aves.
&
312/922-2110.
w ww.auditoriumtheatre.org. Sub way/El: Br own, Gr een,
Orange, or Purple Line to Library/Van Buren, or Red Line to Jackson. Bus: 145, 147, or 151.
Briar Street Theatre
Since 1997, the N ew York City per formance phenomenon
known as
Blue Man Group
has transformed this 625-seat theater , beginning with the
lobby, which is no w a jumble of tubes and wir es and things appr oximating computer
innards. The sho w—which mix es per cussion, per formance ar t, mime, and r ock 'n '
roll—has become an immensely popular permanent fixture on the Chicago theater scene.
The three strangely endearing performers, whose faces and heads are covered in latex and
blue paint, know how to get the audience involved. Your first decision: Do you want the
“splatter” or the “ nonsplatter” seats? ( The former necessitates the donning of a plastic
sheet.) I dare you to find a kid who doesn 't get a kick out of seeing the B lue Men stuff
their faces (literally) with marshmallows. Of all the long-running hits in Chicago, this is
the one to beat—and the best kid-pleaser in town. And although the show is a great pick
for older children, it's not recommended for kids 4 and under. This show is often a sell-
out, so call for tickets in adv ance.
3133 N. Halst ed St. (at Briar St.).
&
773/348-4000.
Tickets
$46-$56. Subway/El: Red or Brown Line to Belmont.
Chicago Cultural Center
Value
Built in 1897, the C ultural Center's mandate has
always been to pr ovide the people of Chicago with access to the ar ts. Fortunately for
families, children's shows are a major thrust of their programming, especially on Saturday
and sometimes S unday. The center puts on wor kshops and per formances for childr en
several times a month and major festiv als four times a y ear. Concer ts featuring Thai
music or dance programs depicting the history and architecture of Chicago are just a few
of the types of pr ograms you might find. Your children can become familiar with many
performing arts genres and with the artists themselves. Best of all, it's free.
78 E. Washing-
ton St.
&
312/346-3278.
Free tickets. Subway: Red or Brown Line to Randolph and State.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Normally I wouldn't recommend that parents take
kids to a performance of Shakespeare, especially with audiences as dedicated as those who
attend this theater. However, this company does a great job of making Shakespeare acces-
sible to kids. S hows like
Leaping Leopold! The Mozart Show
welcome kids age 4 and up
(the eighth collaboration btw . Chicago Chamber M usicians and Chicago S hakespeare
Theater), and other offerings that bring abbr eviated versions of the B ard's work to life
(the 2004 selection was a 75-min. abridgement of
Comedy of Errors
). This group's home
on Navy Pier is a visually stunning, state-of-the-ar t jewel. The centerpiece of the glass-
box complex, which rises sev en stories, is a 525-seat cour tyard-style theater patterned
loosely after the Swan Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon. The complex also houses a 180-seat
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